Manchester City’s misery continued with a 2-1 loss to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Premier League on Saturday, thanks to late goals from substitutes Joao Pedro and Matt O’Riley that gave the champions their fourth consecutive loss in all competitions.
The defeat marks the first time City coach Pep Guardiola has lost four in a row in his managerial career and kept his side second in the league standings on 23 points from 11 matches. Brighton climbed to fourth on 19 points.
“It’s a period that we’re going through at the minute, and the international break is probably coming at the right time,” City captain Kyle Walker told Sky Sports.
“It’s tough, (but) this is the time you show character, when you stick your wellies on and you go through the mud. “Now we’re going to see the real characters, and who’s going to push through and want to fight for something special at the end of the year,” he added.
City looked poised to end their ugly run after Erling Haaland scored in the 23rd minute when Mateo Kovacic threaded a long pass between Brighton’s two centre backs, and the Norwegian striker booted in his own rebound to extend his league scoring lead to 12 goals.
Brighton improved after the break and Pedro drew the hosts level in the 78th minute when City could not clear the ball and the Brazilian pounced to lash it past Ederson.
“Last season we dropped too many points and the gaffer told us to believe in ourselves this season and we are doing well this season against the big teams,” Pedro told Sky Sports.
O’Riley made his Premier League debut a memorable one when he secured the well-earned victory five minutes later, latching onto Pedro’s through ball and slotting home from close range past Ederson’s outstretched arm.
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“The subs made a big impact on the game,” Brighton manager Fabian Huerzeler said. “It’s always great to have a big squad, have subs who might be the game-changer, the match-winner.
“Of course, it’s something special,” he added on the victory. “Manchester City are one of the best teams in the world, Pep Guardiola is one of the best coaches in the world.
“But a victory against them only gives three points, which is why it’s important to be happy, be proud, to gain self-confidence out of these victories, but also to stay humble, to keep on working, because we are still in the process,” he said.
Guardiola, who wore a look of disbelief after the loss, will rue City’s squandered first-half chances, including a couple from Haaland in the span of a few minutes that on a different night could have seen the Norwegian celebrating a hat-trick.
The first chance saw goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen dive to stop a blistering Haaland shot with his right ankle at the near post. Haaland then headed just over the bar.
While Brighton had only 39.5% possession, it felt like a goal was coming in the second half. The hosts had a terrific chance soon after the break when Jack Hinshelwood leapt high to head down a looping cross from Pervis Estupinan that an alert Ederson swatted away.
City have been hit by injuries with Nathan Ake, John Stones, Jack Grealish and Ruben Dias missing on Saturday, alongside longer-term absentees Rodri and Oscar Bobb.
Their previous three defeats were a 2-1 loss to Tottenham Hotspur that eliminated them from the League Cup, a shock 2-1 league loss at Bournemouth, and a 4-1 Champions League thrashing by Sporting that had midfielder Bernardo Silva saying City were in a “dark place”.
Reuters.com
